UPDATE: House fire on Ellis Boulevard leads to road closure

A house that caught fire Monday afternoon at 6304 Ellis Boulevard is being considered a 'total loss” and four people have been displaced as a result, according to the Linn County Sherriff's Office.

According to a news release, the fire began at around 11 a.m. in the garage and then spread to the house. The house tenants, Jamey Sloan, Susan Lamp, and two children were not present during the incident.

The Red Cross was contacted and arrived on scene to give the family assistance, according to the release.

Ellis Road was closed between Covington Road and Bird Road due to black smoke going across the roadway, but has now been reopened.

The fire remains under investigation by the Palo Fire Department and the Linn County Sheriff's Office.